Alkalinity test

Undertaker · Apr 22, 2017

I've used the Red Sea pro test kit to test my alk. I've read a good bit about the Hanna checker So I went a head bought one other day. When I used it it was showing my alk at like 6.8. I used the BRS calculator and dosed the amount it told me to to get it up to 8.1. Tested it an hour later and bam it was dead on 8.1. I tested today with the (Hanna) read 7.6, I did my normal 30ml two part dose and it was right at 8.1. Out of Curiosity I test again with the Red Sea pro and it read 9.8 twice. Has anyone else had this experience.

Cocugreek5 · Apr 22, 2017

I actually find the Red Sea tests to read lower than the Hanna consistently. Problem with the Red Sea for me is when do you stop titrating and take the reading; when it's yellow or a darker amber? What I then do is figure out the difference between the two tests when the Red Sea test first turns yellow because for me that's when the there is a more distinct color change. In my experience there is almost a good .8 dkh difference with the Hanna reading being the higher one. I note this difference and continue more frequent testing with the Red Sea because the reagent is cheaper.

Again as soon as the titration turns yellow I stop and take the reading. Try that acouple of times and see if it is not consistent. I would trust the Hanna reading to be your actual reading. You may go through a lot of reagent at first but once you are dialed in you have a better chance of attaining the stability we all strive for.

Undertaker · Apr 23, 2017

Cocugreek5 said:
I actually find the Red Sea tests to read lower than the Hanna consistently. Problem with the Red Sea for me is when do you stop titrating and take the reading; when it's yellow or a darker amber? What I then do is figure out the difference between the two tests when the Red Sea test first turns yellow because for me that's when the there is a more distinct color change. In my experience there is almost a good .8 dkh difference with the Hanna reading being the higher one. I note this difference and continue more frequent testing with the Red Sea because the reagent is cheaper.

Again as soon as the titration turns yellow I stop and take the reading. Try that acouple of times and see if it is not consistent. I would trust the Hanna reading to be your actual reading. You may go through a lot of reagent at first but once you are dialed in you have a better chance of attaining the stability we all strive for.

I will definitely give it a try, tonight when I do my dosing